Year 9
Interesting Article of the Week
I have noticed recently that some Yr 9 students are looking very tired at school. This is understandable given how active a lot of them are and how many extracurricular activities they are involved in. It seems teenagers of today pack so much more into their days than we did as kids. Often, however, research shows that many young teenagers are not getting enough sleep and when I have asked a number of Redlands students how much sleep they are getting, it is often less than eight hours. I have attached an article this week that provides some useful information regarding teenagers and sleep. Having a son who is going through Yr 12 this year, I have recently had conversations with him about the importance of sleep and how too little can lead to feelings of anxiety and the inability to cope with the everyday stresses of life and school.
Student Achievements
Last Saturday and Sunday some of our Yr 9 girls and boys competed in the NSW Schoolgirl and Schoolboy Head of the River at Penrith International Rowing Centre. A special mention should go to Elizabeth Holtheuer who was placed first in the final of the Schoolgirl Yr 9 Single Scull. In addition, Mia Kloiser-Jones, Sophia Maxwell, Audra Olson and Amber Williams should be commended for their excellent effort in gaining a 7th place in the Final. Both Oliver Hoey and Jack Walsh were in the final of the Schoolboy Yr 9 Single Scull, with Jack placing 4th and Oliver 8th, which was a great effort by the boys.
Room to Read
Louise Colin and Iris Buisman attended a dinner with me last Thursday, where we met Merina Sainju, a graduate of the Girls Education Program in Nepal, along with many volunteers and kind sponsors of the organisation Room to Read. Louise and Iris were inspired by the enthusiasm and gratitude demonstrated by Merina. At one point, Merina was so excited she said to us “I love learning – I want to do a Masters in everything!”. As a Year Group, we hope to form a focus group of leaders who can come up with ideas as to how we can continue to build a relationship with this organisation. Our aim is to help young girls and boys learn to read and have an education that they otherwise would not be lucky enough to have.
Burn Bright
On Monday 18 March students attended a whole day program led by Burn Bright. The program was called Spark and Ignite and I have attached some photos of the day. It involved a lot of fun but it also addressed some really important issues. You can see an overview of the day in the slide attached as a photo.
Social Awareness Program
This week students are continuing to create a presentation regarding their chosen organisation on gender inequality.
Writing Competitions
This term, there are some exciting writing competitions for students to submit their work for public recognition, publication and cash prizes. The Write4Fun 2019 School Writing Competition is open and accepting submissions of original poetry or short stories from Kindergarten to Yr 12. Entry is free and there are fantastic prizes including $1000 cash ($500 to the applicant and $500 to the school) and a choice of either a $500 Rebel Sports voucher, an Xbox One X or PlayStation 4. Entries for this competition close 5pm Sunday 31 March.
We are also pleased to announce that the Stanton Library’s Nan Manefield Young Writer’s Award is accepting poetry or short story submissions from entrants aged 11-18 years. Prizes total over $2000 and all placed entrants receive an invitation to a writing masterclass; submissions close 5pm Friday 12 April.
Finally, the Mosman Youth Awards in Literature are also accepting short story and poetry submissions from Yrs K-12, with cash prizes totalling more than $2000 to be won; entries close Friday 31 May.
These are fantastic opportunities for our students to be recognised and celebrated for their creative writing. For any questions about how to enter, please contact the English Department.
Have a great week!
Ms Rebecca Mountain
Yr 9 Advisor
rmountain@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 6462